KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today says he will announce an incentive for about 25,000 Sarawakians studying at higher education institutions when he tables the 2025 State Budget next month.
He said he would not make the announcement now as it was premature for him to do so.
"But I can visualise that the incentive will involve millions of ringgit for Sarawakian students studying in these universities and colleges in Peninsular Malaysia," he said at the town hall session with Sarawakian students at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here.
Abang Johari said he also would announce pocket money to be given to the students, who are facing high cost of living in the peninsula.
"When you study in places like Kuala Lumpur, you need a bit of pocket money for you to buy food.
"I will announce how much the pocket money each student will receive when I table the state budget," he said.
He said the amount of scholarship they receive was not enough for them to buy the food items.
However, he said the students must be of Sarawak origin and have the letter "K" in their Identity Cards as eligibility conditions for the incentive and pocket money.
Abang Johari, who is also state finance and new economy minister, said he would table the State Budget on Nov 20 during the State Legislative Sitting.
He said the state government provided laptops and book coupons to the students since the start of this year.
However, based on the feedback he received from the students, he said they preferred laptops more as they could use them to do research.
Present at the town hall session, which was moderated by the Deputy Health Minister and Sibuti member of parliament Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak cabinet ministers and Sarawak federal ministers.